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Original poster

Militant leftie teachers will NOT be striking (NASUWT England)

167 replies

noblegiraffe · 12/01/2023 19:22

The ballots have been counted and despite 90% of the votes being in favour of strike action, only 42% of members returned their ballot therefore the 50% threshold of membership voting was not reached and strike action will not take place.

This is for NASUWT members, the second biggest teaching union. The largest teaching union, the NEU, will be announcing its results early next week (possibly Sunday). The NAHT headteachers' union will also be announcing strike ballot results shortly.

If the NEU strike and the NASUWT don't, schools still may close. If headteachers strike, who knows as it has never happened before.

OP posts:
Rainydaize · 13/01/2023 20:55

I've not managed to find the answer to this, but are there any "rules" regarding doing opposite action to what you voted? For example voting no but then deciding to strike if they go ahead..or indeed the opposite? How about not voting, if you don't vote can you still strike?

meditrina · 13/01/2023 21:00

Rainydaize · 13/01/2023 20:55

I've not managed to find the answer to this, but are there any "rules" regarding doing opposite action to what you voted? For example voting no but then deciding to strike if they go ahead..or indeed the opposite? How about not voting, if you don't vote can you still strike?

Unless your union has non-binding strikes (or the specific vote was specified as non-binding), then you follow the course of collective action as decided by the ballot. So whichever way you voted, if your union ballots in favour of strike action, you strike.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/01/2023 21:04

I sent a white ballot paper back. I got another ballot paper/envelope which I assumed was a mistake and ignored. Can't remember what colour it was. I wonder if that means my vote (in favour of striking) didn't go through?

Disappointingly low number of people voting. :(

Piggywaspushed · 13/01/2023 21:53

noblegiraffe · 13/01/2023 20:31

Just got an email update from them.

A mandate for strike action in nearly 200 independent schools. So private schools will be going on strike and state schools won't??

Also, Wales seem more up for strike action than England, particularly their sixth form colleges. The 9 in 10 figure looks like it was rounded.

But I thought private schoolteachers didn't get ballot papers?

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 13/01/2023 21:59

I have no idea, piggy!

OP posts:
echt · 13/01/2023 22:03

Rainydaize · 13/01/2023 20:55

I've not managed to find the answer to this, but are there any "rules" regarding doing opposite action to what you voted? For example voting no but then deciding to strike if they go ahead..or indeed the opposite? How about not voting, if you don't vote can you still strike?

No matter what your vote, you can do the opposite of your intention. Who's to know?

meditrina · 13/01/2023 22:42

echt · 13/01/2023 22:03

No matter what your vote, you can do the opposite of your intention. Who's to know?

Show quote history

How you voted - no-one will know unless you tell them

If you're a strike breaker, though, yes it will be noticed

42isthemeaning · 13/01/2023 23:58

I can confirm that the nasuwt teachers in my independent school were balloted for strike action.
The NEU is also going to ballot for strike action in independent schools. I'm not sure they'll get the result they want as schools pay very differently across the indie sector. I work in a small school which pays way below state sector salaries.

Piggywaspushed · 14/01/2023 06:56

Oh! Well, despite phoning up (in November) and informing NASUWT that eh hadn't received post for 10 years and receiving numerous mailings from them, DH never received ballot papers. This is all beginning to look like a farce, to be honest.

Indigoshift · 14/01/2023 08:06

If you're a strike breaker, though, yes it will be noticed

What do you mean?

Whinge · 14/01/2023 08:11

Indigoshift · 14/01/2023 08:06

If you're a strike breaker, though, yes it will be noticed

What do you mean?

If you're part of a union that votes to strike and you continue to work despite this, then other staff / union members would notice.

Magnanimouse · 14/01/2023 08:15

Personally, as a headteacher, I voted against.

I'm deeply annoyed by the terrible state of the public sector overall, and by the fact that I am paid 25% less in real terms than my equivalents in 2010. Since the first round of austerity, the government has managed the economy by hammering public sector workers. Three years ago when they were throwing money down the toilet on Brexit costs, I'd have been out there on the picket line.

BUT I work with families who are living in absolute real poverty because the government hasn't invested in housing, in a decent minimum wage, in decent public services such as children's centres etc. I wouldn't feel able to look them in the eye if I was demanding that any money available right now is given to me instead of them.

Piggywaspushed · 14/01/2023 08:22

But that's not how public sector money works. It's not given to you instead of them. That's peak Tory spin.

As a head you must know of the acute shortage of headteachers and the terrible recruitment and retention issues. How will that be solved without fair pay for one of society's most responsible jobs?

PetitPorpoise · 14/01/2023 08:23

The clue is in the name; it's a Union so you're supposed to act as one.

If your union votes for strike action, then you need to strike with them. If you chooose to cross the picket thwn you are crossing the picket.

RSintes · 14/01/2023 08:25

We have Yr 13 mock exams and trips going abroad in the week of the 30th so although I voted for strike with NEU I'm really struggling to see how it's not going to really badly affect the kids if the mock exams or the trips don't go ahead.

Rainydaize · 14/01/2023 08:45

How would anyone know what union you're in?

TheZeppo · 14/01/2023 08:48

@Rainydaize i know who is in my union from the meetings we have. The union rep would know too. I’d be very unimpressed with someone crossing a picket line, though doubt I’d say anything. Not my place.

fairly certain NEU have reached threshold in my area. Already spoken to them- I’ll be switching once it’s confirmed. I want to be heard. 42%, whatever the reason, is very poor. I won’t roll over and pretend everything is ok! If my union can’t strike- I’ll join those that can.

Indigoshift · 14/01/2023 09:24

Rainydaize · 14/01/2023 08:45

How would anyone know what union you're in?

Agree. Half the staff don't even know my name.

Piggywaspushed · 14/01/2023 10:28

RSintes · 14/01/2023 08:25

We have Yr 13 mock exams and trips going abroad in the week of the 30th so although I voted for strike with NEU I'm really struggling to see how it's not going to really badly affect the kids if the mock exams or the trips don't go ahead.

I know it's a bit of a pain but mocks can be moved and/or can be administered by non teaching union staff surely?

Presumably the trips abroad would go ahead. I can't see staff not going on them because of a strike unless they were very very union. I imagine the Union has advice on things like that.

Ariautec · 14/01/2023 14:35

Magnanimouse · 14/01/2023 08:15

Personally, as a headteacher, I voted against.

I'm deeply annoyed by the terrible state of the public sector overall, and by the fact that I am paid 25% less in real terms than my equivalents in 2010. Since the first round of austerity, the government has managed the economy by hammering public sector workers. Three years ago when they were throwing money down the toilet on Brexit costs, I'd have been out there on the picket line.

BUT I work with families who are living in absolute real poverty because the government hasn't invested in housing, in a decent minimum wage, in decent public services such as children's centres etc. I wouldn't feel able to look them in the eye if I was demanding that any money available right now is given to me instead of them.

So instead you are prepared to limit the life chances of your very disadvantaged pupils by not standing up to improve the quality of their education.
Strikes aren't just about pay, but about starvation of public services impacting massively on all families and more so on yours.

MrsMurphyIWish · 14/01/2023 15:55

Magnanimouse · 14/01/2023 08:15

Personally, as a headteacher, I voted against.

I'm deeply annoyed by the terrible state of the public sector overall, and by the fact that I am paid 25% less in real terms than my equivalents in 2010. Since the first round of austerity, the government has managed the economy by hammering public sector workers. Three years ago when they were throwing money down the toilet on Brexit costs, I'd have been out there on the picket line.

BUT I work with families who are living in absolute real poverty because the government hasn't invested in housing, in a decent minimum wage, in decent public services such as children's centres etc. I wouldn't feel able to look them in the eye if I was demanding that any money available right now is given to me instead of them.

@Magnanimouse As a parent, as well as a teacher, I hope you’re not my children’s head teacher. They have had their whole education under Tory austerity and it will get worse. You think us not striking will mean schools will magically be awarded huge amount of money? Did you also believe the Brexit bus and now leaving the away would mean billions for the NHS?

MrsMurphyIWish · 14/01/2023 15:56

*EU

WeAreAllLionesses · 14/01/2023 20:50

I'm an NEU rep, I have just checked and my member numbers have increased this weekend.

We already have a third of our staff in the NEU, I wonder how many more will join - possibly more after Monday after the results are revealed.

Moonshine86 · 15/01/2023 00:09

So how confident are people that we have met the threshold? I’m talking NEU. I really hope we were successful.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 15/01/2023 00:11

They're live-streaming the ballot result so you'd hope they had the numbers.

The NAHT are also live-streaming their result on Monday and I'd be far less confident about them having a positive outcome though.

OP posts: